Ppt 2 of 3 - Chinese Influence on Korea

Chinese Influence on Korea
Chapter 13 (2 of 3)
Korea
In 109 B.C.E., Han Dynasty
conquered Korea (explains
why Chinese culture
influenced Korea so much)
Korea broke free from China
3 independent Korean
kingdoms emerged:
Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla
Sinification Occurs Throughout Korea
Sinification = The
adopting of Chinese
culture (this is what the
Taika reforms had tried
to do in Japan)
Best Example =
Koreans adopt Buddhism
Other Examples:
-Chinese alphabet used in Korea
-Code of laws modeled after Han China
-Universities created (studied Chinese
history not Korean)
-Tried to create Chinese-style
bureaucracy (failed b/c aristocrats
afraid of losing power)
China Retakes Korea Under the Tang Dynasty
The 3 Korean
kingdoms fought for
hundreds of years
Tang China took
advantage of civil
war in Korea
Tang allied with Silla,
and together
defeated the
Koguryo and Paekche
A deal is struck!
Tang fought
Silla over how
to divide the
conquered
land
Silla had to pay
tribute to China, but
otherwise Korea was
independent (under
Silla control)
Sinification Increases
Though independent (other than paying tribute), Chinese
cultural influence on Korea peaks
Paying tribute to China got Koreans gifts in return, plus
they taveled to China and had access to Chinese learning
Silla rulers basically turned Korea into a mini version of
the Tang Dynasty
Buddhism Proves Popular
Korean aristocrats preferred
Buddhism to Confucianism,
and many Buddhist temples
were built in Kumsong
The Buddhism practiced in
Korea very similar to that of
China, further linking the two
civilizations
Korean Aristocrats Adopt Chinese Ways
Aristocrats
built mansions
near the
capital
(Kumsong)
and made up
huge
percentage of
population in
capital
Aristocrats
studied in
Chinese
schools and
even took
Chinese-style
exams to get
jobs in Silla
government
But most jobs
based on
family
connections,
so little
incentive to
study, leaving
much time for
luxurious life
of arts and
entertainment
In Fact, Other Than Buddhism, Most
Chinese Culture Only Affected Aristocrats
Trade with China
focused on
getting goods for
the Korean
aristocracy (like
fancy clothing)
Aristocrats had
strict social ranks,
and aristocrats
the ones chosen
for the
bureaucracy
Social Classes Emerge in Korea
Korean elites (aristocrats and members of royal
family) held great status and were basically the
only ones that counted in Korean society
Everyone else very low in status including:
Artisans, traders, peasants, near-slaves (called
“low born”)
The commoners did work for the aristocrats in the
capital, and outside of Kumsong, Korea was
mostly a backwards society
Once “Independent” From China
2 Dynasties Ruled Korea
Silla Dynasty
668 - 935
Koryo Dynasty
(918 – 1392)
Commoners often rebelled against the aristocracy, and though
the dynasties survived the rebellions, they were weakened, and
helped lead to the downfall of both dynasties
In 1231 the Mongols Invaded Korea, Creating
Turmoil and Chaos for the Next 150 years
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Yi Dynasty Rose to Power in 1392
Yi restored order to
Korea as well as
Chinese influence
Yi would rule Korea
from 1392 - 1910
During that time, it
appeared Korea
was content to live
in the shadow of
China